Granulator for granulating melting and softening substances

摘要

PCT No. PCT/DE88/00170 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 16, 1988 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 16, 1988 PCT Filed Mar. 18, 1988 PCT Pub. No. WO88/06961 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 22, 1988.An apparatus and method for forming discrete granules from a flow of molten plastic material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tube having an end surface through which the molten material flows and a discharge plate having an opening therethrough disposed adjacent the tube. The discharge plate is movable with respect to the end surface of the tube. A pressure medium accumulating region is disposed adjacent the end surface of the tube. In operation, the molten material flows through the tube and into the opening of the discharge plate. The end surface of the tube and the discharge plate move into and out of contact on a periodic basis such that the tube and discharge plate function as a valve. The periodic opening and closing of the valve allows introduction of discrete amounts of the pressure medium into an annular gap formed about the flow of the molten material and between the end surface of the tube and the discharge plate such that the pressure medium concentrically surrounds and symmetrically divides the molten material into granules.